Artistic wrap for subway building

Published 4:00 am, Monday, February 27, 2012

Usually the phrase "It's a wrap" indicates the end of a major effort, but in the case of the Chinatown station for the $1.6 billion Central Subway project, it marks the beginning.

Last week, crews started preparing the building at 933-949 Stockton St., the future home of the Chinatown station, to be wrapped in a vinyl covering by removing signs and securing the building. Work will continue into mid-March.

The vinyl wrap won't be the usual shiny white covering, however. It will feature a Chinese mural provided by the Chinese Historical Society of America, student artwork from the Chinatown YMCA and, of course, renderings of the new Central Subway station.

Word at City Hall was that former Mayor Willie Brown, now a Chronicle columnist, pushed Lee to appoint Breed to Mirkarimi's old seat, while another Lee confidant, Chinatown political power Rose Pak, was advocating for mayoral adviser Malcolm Yeungbefore giving her backing to Olague.

Breed's decision to run puts Lee in an interesting position as far as using his office to exert influence on the race in terms of money and support. She has the backing of California Attorney General Kamala Harrisand more moderate figures that seem to align more readily with Lee's base.

But Olague, a progressive whose choice was applauded by the city's political left, is Lee's handpicked successor in a district that includes the Haight-Ashbury and Western Addition, neighborhoods that have historically been known for their leftward bent. She'll also have the benefit of incumbency - albeit brief.

This week's news

Monday: The Board of Supervisors Land Use Committee will discuss whether to allow developers creating new projects or major additions to contribute 1 percent of construction costs to a fund for public art.

Tuesday: The Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on the final agreement to host the America's Cup at its 2 p.m. meeting.